The Philippine defense secretary says his country and its allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.

China has accused the Philippines of polluting the environment after it released footage it said showed troops burning rubbish at a disputed reef in the South China Sea. The video, published on social media by state broadcaster CGTN on Saturday,

Philippine and U.S. Navy SEALs secured a gas and oil platform in the South China Sea in the latest joint combined exchange training between the two special operations units near the disputed waters last week.

Disputed South China Sea airspace that Beijing claims as its own falls within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where the Philippines and other countries enjoy freedom of overflight.

"The Philippines has no major external security threats, but has turned itself into a country that undermines regional peace and stability through a militarization carnival," said Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Issues at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

China has monitored a Philippine civilian vessel supplying a warship at the contested Second Thomas Shoal. China urges cooperation from the Philippines and to cease exaggerating tensions. The Philippine embassy in Beijing has yet to comment on the situation.

The Philippines and Japan pledged to enhance their defense alliance through training exercises, logistical activities, equipment transfers and intelligence sharing on Monday amid China’s assertive moves in the South China Sea.

Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warns of measures against China's attempts to impose an air defence zone over the South China Sea. Confrontations have intensified as Chinese aircraft dangerously engage with forces from the Philippines,

China said it monitored a Philippine civilian boat delivering daily provisions to the "illegally grounded" warship at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday, a statement from the coast guard said.

Philippines officials accused a Chinese government-owned broadcaster of spreading misleading information and propaganda following its claim that a Philippine vessel was intentionally polluting the waters of the South China Sea,